Dischargeable pocket for pocket-billiard tables and the like.



F. 0. HOBBS. DISOHARGEABLE POCKET FOB. POCKET BILLIARD TABLES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18,1914.

Patented Dec. 15, 1914.

UN 1T $ATES ATNT FRAN K FETCH.

C. HOBBS, OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR. TO BRUNStVICK-BALKE COLLENDER CCL, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

DISCHARGEABLE POCKET FOR POCKET-BILLIARD TABLES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 15, 1914.

Application filed May 18, 1914. Serial No. 839,356.

my said invention, taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings, forms 7 a full, clear, and exact specification, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates generally to improvements in dischargeable pockets for pocket billiard tables and the like, and it consists, essentially, in the novel and peculiar combination of parts and details of construction, as hereinafter first fully set forth and described and then pointed out in the claims.

This invention relates to pocket billiard tables in general and the pockets therefor in particular and has for its object the provision of a fabric pocket of an elastic, reinforced construction, from which the balls may be removed through the bottom rather than from the inlet as heretofore.

In the drawings already referred to which serve to illustrate my said invention more fully, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the corners of a pocket billiard table, illustrating the pocket forming the subject matter of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof.

Like parts are indicated by corresponding symbols and characters of reference in all the figures of the drawing.

The pocket forming the subject matter of the present invention is preferably con structed of a tubularly woven elastic fabric having a bottom at one end and open at the other in the usual manner. The bottom end of the pocket is reinforced in the weave as is also the portion adjacent thereto, said reinforcing varying in weight. Adjacent to the closed end of the pocket and on one side thereof is an opening of somewhat smaller diameter than the balls, through which the balls may be forced to empty the pocket. This discharge opening being surrounded by an elastic fabric the balls under normal conditions are retained in the pocket, but

following description of 7 when a slight force is applied thereto transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pocket the balls may pass through this discharge opening.

Reference belng had more particularly to the drawings 10 indicates generally a frag ment or corner of a pocket billiard table of the standard construction embodying the head block 11, the wood slate frame 12, the

slate bed 13, the cushion rails ll, the cushions 15, the usual felt bed cloth 16, and the pocket irons 17 secured in any approved manner to the rails 14.

The pocket P forming the subject matter 7 of the present invention is provided with the fabric extension 18 on the outer side thereof, which is secured to the adjacent and c0- operating pocket iron 17. The opposite side of the pocket is secured to the wood slate bed 12, thus securely supporting the pocket.

The pocket P is woven or knitted from what is generally known as the knot weave or knit and is so constructed that it has, formed therein, multiple reinforcements at the points of the greatest, strain. This reinforcing comprises a triple weave 19 at the extreme end of the pocket upon which the weight of the balls is received, and a double weave 20 adjacent thereto; the remainder of the pocket being of a single weave. As is usual in pockets of this nature the bottom thereof has a reinforced opening 21 woven therein and of less diameter than the diameter of the balls. This opening 21 is inelastic and as a result the balls are unable to force themselves therethrough by their own weight.

A discharge opening 22 is woven in the side of the pocket and in the double weave portion 20 thereof. This opening is normally of less diameter than the diameter of the balls. That is to say, when the fabric 20 surrounding the opening is contracted by the weight of the balls upon the triple weave portion 19 of the pocket, the diameter of this discharge opening is such that the balls will be retained within the pocket. However the welt 23 surrounding the discharge opening 22 and also the fabric 20 in which this opening is formed are elastic.

Understand the pocket to contain a plurality of balls, with the lowermost resting.

upon the rim of and partially projecting through the opening 21; also assume the first and second fingers of the right hand to be pressed upwardly against said lowermost ball and forced through the said opening into the pocket between the balls therein and the rear of the pocket. This action will elevate the balls, removing their weight from the fabric 20 and the tension therein as well as the stress in the welt 23, and will result in the ejection of the lowermost ball through discharge opening 22. Removing the fingers from the interior of the pocket will permit the next lowermost ball to drop to the bottom thereof, when the process of ejection may be repeated.

"While herein I have described the prefered method of practising my invention, I reserve the right to make such changes and alterations as might suggest themselves to one slrilled in the art or permitted under the doctrine of equivalents.

Having thus fully described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure to myself by Letters Patent of the United States 1. A pocket having a surrounding wall, an open top, and a bottom adapted for the reception of objects introduced into said pocket, there being an opening in said bottom and a side opening in said wall, where-' by fingers introduced through said bottom opening will cause .the elevation of said objects and their ejection through said side opening.

2. A pocket having a surrounding wall, an open top and a bottom adapted for the reception of objects introduced into said adapted for the introduction of the fingers of a hand into said pocket behind the objects thereof, and a side opening in said wall near said bottom eflecting egress of said objects and the control thereof when manipulated by said fingers.

3. A pocket including a fabric surrounding wall, having an open top and an elastic fabric lower shell possessed of an inelastic bottom having an opening therethrough, there being a side opening through said elastic shell adjacent said bottom, whereby objects introduced into said shell may be elevated and ejected through said side opening by the introduction of fingers into said shell through said bottom opening.

A. A pocket including'a fabric surrounding wall, having an open top and an elastic fabric lower shell possessed of an inelastic bottom havlng an opening therethrough,

there being a reinforced and elastic side opening through said elastic shell adjacent said bottom, whereby objects introduced into said shell may be elevated and ejected through said side opening by the introduction of fingers into said shell through said bottom opening.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK C. HOBBS. In the presence of- 1 J. O. MATTESON, J. O. MILLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

